The effects of knee joint angle on neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation in healthy older adults.

Authors: Gavin, J.P., Cooper, M. and Wainwright, T.W.

Journal: J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng

Volume: 5

Pages: 2055668318779506

eISSN: 2055-6683

DOI: 10.1177/2055668318779506

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: Electrostimulation devices stimulate the common peroneal nerve, producing a calf muscle-pump action to promote venous circulation. Whether knee joint angle influences calf neuromuscular activity remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the effects of knee joint angle on lower limb neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation. METHODS: Fifteen healthy, older adults underwent 60 min of electrostimulation, with the knee joint at three different angles (0°, 45° or 90° flexion; random order; 20 min each). Outcome variables included electromyography of the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis and discomfort. RESULTS: Knee angle did not influence tibialis anterior and peroneus longus neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation. Neuromuscular activity was greater in the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.002) and lateralis (p = 0.002) at 90°, than 0° knee angle. Electrostimulation intensity was positively related to neuromuscular activity for each muscle, with a knee angle effect for the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that during electrostimulation, knee joint angle influenced gastrocnemii neuromuscular activity; increased gastrocnemius medialis activity across all intensities (at 90°), when compared to 0° and 45° flexion; and did not influence peroneus longus and tibialis anterior activity. Greater electrostimulation-evoked gastrocnemii activity has implications for producing a more forceful calf muscle-pump action, potentially further improving venous flow.

Source: PubMed

The effects of knee joint angle on neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation in healthy older adults

Authors: Gavin, J.P., Cooper, M. and Wainwright, T.W.

Journal: JOURNAL OF REHABILITATION AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEERING

Volume: 5

ISSN: 2055-6683

DOI: 10.1177/2055668318779506

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

The effects of knee joint angle on neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation in healthy older adults

Authors: Gavin, J.P., Cooper, M. and Wainwright, T.W.

Journal: Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies

Publisher: SAGE Journals

http://journals.sagepub.com/home/jrt

Source: Manual

The effects of knee joint angle on neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation in healthy older adults.

Authors: Gavin, J.P., Cooper, M. and Wainwright, T.W.

Journal: Journal of rehabilitation and assistive technologies engineering

Volume: 5

Pages: 2055668318779506

eISSN: 2055-6683

ISSN: 2055-6683

DOI: 10.1177/2055668318779506

Abstract:

Introduction

Electrostimulation devices stimulate the common peroneal nerve, producing a calf muscle-pump action to promote venous circulation. Whether knee joint angle influences calf neuromuscular activity remains unclear. Our aim was to determine the effects of knee joint angle on lower limb neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation.

Methods

Fifteen healthy, older adults underwent 60 min of electrostimulation, with the knee joint at three different angles (0°, 45° or 90° flexion; random order; 20 min each). Outcome variables included electromyography of the peroneus longus, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis and discomfort.

Results

Knee angle did not influence tibialis anterior and peroneus longus neuromuscular activity during electrostimulation. Neuromuscular activity was greater in the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.002) and lateralis (p = 0.002) at 90°, than 0° knee angle. Electrostimulation intensity was positively related to neuromuscular activity for each muscle, with a knee angle effect for the gastrocnemius medialis (p = 0.05).

Conclusion

Results suggest that during electrostimulation, knee joint angle influenced gastrocnemii neuromuscular activity; increased gastrocnemius medialis activity across all intensities (at 90°), when compared to 0° and 45° flexion; and did not influence peroneus longus and tibialis anterior activity. Greater electrostimulation-evoked gastrocnemii activity has implications for producing a more forceful calf muscle-pump action, potentially further improving venous flow.

Source: Europe PubMed Central